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Rockets guard Tracy McGrady was voted by fans as a starter in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. Tracy is in Vegas and will be blogging with NBA.com throughout his visit. |

People wanting to know about the kiss.
David Sherman/NBAE/Getty Images
Everyone's wants to know about the Kiss. Shaq gave me a little peck after a dunk in the game, that's it. It was just a peck on the forehead or wherever he kissed me, that's it. HAHA.
It wasn't like seeing Dick Bavetta and Charles Barkley kiss, it wasn't that type. It's the first time I've ever been kissed on national television by a male. Totally, totally, totally suprised me on that kiss.
Man, I was tired last night. I crashed. I heard Gerald did good in the Dunk competition, but I missed it, I was sleeping. I met with some TV guys for an interview in my hotel room today, just a couple minutes, and then over to the game.
I'm just gonna be laughing and joking with other players, that's pretty much it. It's just a laid back atmosphere, I'm not going to be uptight or be preparing myself for the game, I'm just gonna be laid back and just choppin' it up with the fellas.
It's all about entertainment out there, the fans don't want to see a bunch of jumpers. You try to put a little flash in there, maybe bring a little bit of streetball. I want people out of their seats and enjoying the game.
The game is a little Hollywood too, you got your favorite actors and entertainers watching you play the game that we love.
For the first three quarters it's all showmen and guys trying to entertain the crowd, but I think, you know, we're all such fierce competitors on the basketball court that in the fourth it gets tight and guys try to win the game.
I saw a couple movies recently:
Hello my name is Borat, nice to meet you... Man, that guy is funny.
I also checked out The Departed and that was real good. They got a nice little cast: Jack, Matt Damon... Jack was a bad boy in that movie, he was running everything.
All-Star weekend is always filled with a ton of running around. I had a bunch to do today, but tonight will finally bring some rest as I get ready for the game tomorrow. That's my main focus now.

On the bus right before practice.
Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
We had practice and meeting with the media today before the game tomorrow. But it's an open practice, it's for fans and media, you don't take much basketball out of it. But it's fun.
I have fun with it. I get out there and try to win the shooting contests we have. Those always bring in some money right there. I won a couple years ago, so I went out to see what I could do this year. 100 bucks on the line.
We were shooting from half court, and I rimmed out a couple. Tony Parker knocked one down on his third shot, and I was off again. TP took it down, but before leaving, I grabbed the ball and banked one home in front of Duncan. One round too late.
I got either Gerald Green or Nate Rob in the Dunk contest. The other guys are too big. I think they can bring a little something, but I don't know that they can be as creative, you know? I heard Gerald had one of his dunks come to him in his dreams, I never had anything like that happen. So I'm curious to find out what that is.
Talking three-point competition you gotta go with my man Mike. Mike Miller has the skills to take that home.
Hey everyone, it's been a long long long day but I'm here. Last night I flew in, got here at 3 a.m. and just crashed. Wish I had gotten more sleep with my day today. TI-RE-D.
My forehead's feeling better, a little roughed up after Dikembe came down on me on a rebound, man. He caught me with that elbow, but I'm alright. I was back in by the end of the game.
We got a ton of people coming, it's going to be BIG. We got celebs, athletes, players, everyone. I got my outfit flown in from New York, it's just gonna be huge. I look forward to the game each year, but this is my seventh year playing, so I already know what to expect from the game, but I don't know what to expect tonight at this party. The party is what I'm looking forward to the most this weekend. The party, man! The party, the party, the party. I'll try to catch y'all up on it in a future one of these.
But before the main event, I had a bunch of stuff I did today
My day started with some steak and eggs and man they were excellent. Then I was off to media availability in the Palms. I don't gamble, so all these places are nice to me, no favorite casino. I sat and answered everyone's questions as they crowd around me at that little table. Then it was off to the next interview spot, across the hotel and up three floors, which was HOT and TIGHT.
We were in a hallway and then in a couple rooms. I was up there with Yao and some of the other guys. We hit a couple rooms and then I needed some water, I was sweatin' up there. Yao was asked what he wanted but not me. Do I not play for the Rockets too? They hooked me up though with some, it was cool. They had a fitting room up there, but it was with my tailor already, so he had me all set already. I needed to get over to Mandalay Bay for a Jam Session clinic I was giving with the kids, so I was out, and done with the media for the day, but NOT with the running around.
We got out back of the Palms and waited for the car, and a couple kids we're just walking down the street and recognized me. I took a picture with them, they were excited. It's all about the kids man.
But what I really tried to get across was education is important. It's a rare, rare thing that guys like me can go from high school to the pros. That's rare. Education is key. I graduated from high school, everyone needs to. And only a handful of people in this world can make the jump I made, education is key for kids.

Who better to be at a celebrity game in vegas?
Ray Amati/NBAE/Getty Images
After jam session, I walked over to check out the Celeb game. I saw a couple guys, said, "HI!" to Donald Faison and the man, Wayne Newton, and sat down with Dwight Howard to check out the action.
Man, It was CO-ME-DY. It's so funny cause those guys be going out there so hard, competin' and just trying so,so, so hard. Looks like they're about to kill each other though. Bow wow got a little game out there and Donald Faison got a little game, Nelly, he can play a little bit as well.
On the way out Barry Bonds yelled over to me, I walked over to see what's up. He was like "You playing in the game?" I was like "Am I playing? That would be like me asking you if you were playing in your All-Star Game. Of course I'm playing."
















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